Anatomical variations of the infrahyoid muscles and ansa cervicalis: a systematic review and an updated classification system for the omohyoid muscle.

ABSTRACT: The four infrahyoid muscles of the anterior neck are primarily innervated by the ansa cervicalis. This systematic review aims to evaluate the range of the anatomical variations in these muscles and their relationship to innervation patterns. A systematic search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Articles reporting variations in infrahyoid muscles and/or ansa cervicalis were independently evaluated following the PICOTS framework. The anatomical quality assessment tool was used to assess the quality of publications reporting anatomical variants. Seventy-seven studies, encompassing eighty-four cases, were included in the analysis. Of the 56-publication reporting infrahyoid muscle variations, 44 pertained to the omohyoid muscle (main or accessory), 3 to the sternohyoid, 4

SUBMITTER: Malkidou N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12519019 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature